Oxazolidinone containing dimer compounds, compositions and methods to make and use

ABSTRACT

Dosage forms or pharmaceutical compositions comprise a compound having the structure of Formula IV: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             wherein n is a non-negative integer; wherein each Z is an oxazolidinone-containing moiety having antibiotic activity in vivo upon cleaving, wherein M is independently OR 1  or NR 1 R 2 ; wherein R 1  and R 2  are independently selected from the group consisting of H, an optionally-substituted hydrocarbyl residue or a pharmaceutically acceptable cation; wherein the compound in the dosage form or a pharmaceutical composition is present in an amount effective for treating or preventing an antibacterial infection in a mammalian subject. Methods of preparing and using these dosage forms or pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/787,293, filed May 25, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/181,955, filed May 28, 2009. The content of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to pharmaceutically-useful oxazolidinone-containing dimer compounds, compositions, and methods of making and using them for treatment and prophylaxis of diseases in mammals.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various oxazolidinone-containing compounds have been disclosed for use as antibiotics. For example, oxazolidinone-containing compounds have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/596,412 (filed Dec. 17, 2004), and WO 04/048350, WO 03/022824 and WO 01/94342, which are incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/577,089 (filed Oct. 9, 2009) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/699,864 (filed Feb. 3, 2010), which are assigned to the same assignee as in the present application, disclose phosphate dimer impurities made during the process of making of the compounds disclosed therein. Surprisingly, it has been found that compounds containing at least two phosphates binding two oxazolidinone-containing moieties, such as dimers of oxazolidinone-containing compounds have antibacterial activity similar to their dihydrogen monophosphate analog, but have an advantageously different release profile, as discussed below in more detail.

Bacterial infections pose a continuing medical problem because anti-bacterial drugs eventually engender resistance in the bacteria on which they are used. Consequently, a need exists for new drugs with efficacy against pathogenic bacteria for use in the therapy and prophylaxis of bacterial infections.

In particular, a need exists for anti-bacterial drugs with a variety of pharmacokinetic properties, such as drugs with a slow release profile, to enable physicians to employs different dosing schedules in therapeutic and prophylactic regimens in different clinical contexts, and also a variety of physicochemical properties to facilitate preparation of different formulations of drugs with similar modes of action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The dosage forms and compositions herein fulfill these needs.

In some aspects, a dosage form or a pharmaceutical composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of compound having the structure of Formula IV:

wherein n is a non-negative integer;

wherein each Z is an oxazolidinone-containing moiety having antibiotic activity in vivo upon cleaving,

wherein M is independently OR₁ or NR₁R₂;

wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, an optionally-substituted hydrocarbyl residue that may contain one or more heteroatoms or a pharmaceutically acceptable cation.

In some embodiments, each Z of the dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition described herein, is

wherein * is the point of attachment of Z to P;

wherein R¹a and R¹b are independently selected from H and F, provided that at least one of R¹a and R¹b is F, and

Het is an optionally-substituted five- or six-membered heterocycle comprising at least one N, O, or S atom.

In some embodiments, the compound in the dosage form or composition described herein has the structure

wherein M is OR₁ and R₁ is a pharmaceutically-acceptable cation, such as a nitrogen-containing cation, e.g., an imidazolium cation. In some aspects of these embodiments, each Z is

The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition may also further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

In some embodiments, each Z in the compound in the dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition has R stereochemistry, such as wherein each Z is

In some embodiments, the compound in the dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition is

In some aspects, Het is tetrazolyl.

Some embodiments also include methods of preparing the compound in the dosage form or pharmaceutical composition described herein, comprising the step of treating o the compound f the formula Z—H with a phosphorylating such as POCl₃.

Some embodiments include methods of preparing the compound described herein in the dosage form or pharmaceutical composition, comprising the step of treating with a dehydrating agent of the compound Z—P′, wherein P′ is a mono- or dihydrogen phosphate group.

Embodiments also include methods of and uses for treating a bacterial infection comprising administering the dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition described herein to a subject in need thereof.

These and other embodiments are described in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plot of the pharmacokinetics of a Formula IV compound (as illustrated in Example 2) when administered either orally or intravenously showing both the concentration of the prodrug Formula IV or the active antibacterial agent of Formula Ia.

FIG. 2 shows a plot of the pharmacokinetics of a Formula III compound (as illustrated in Example 1) when administered intravenously showing both the concentration of the prodrug Formula III and the active antibacterial agent Formula Ia.

FIG. 3 charts the in vivo efficacy of TR-701 and the dimer Formula IV at 24 and 48 hour intervals at various dosage levels in accordance with Example 5.

FIG. 4 shows a graph of the Staphylococcus aureus in vivo efficacy of TR-701 and the dimer Formula IV at 24 and 48 hour intervals in accordance with Example 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In some embodiments, the present disclosure describes new prodrug compounds having antibiotic activity and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds as well as methods of making and using them. In some embodiments, the compounds are prodrugs that are cleaved after administration to release an active oxazolidinone-containing metabolite, in vivo. In some embodiments, the compound has the structure of Formula IV:

wherein n is a non-negative integer;

wherein Z is an oxazolidinone-containing moiety having antibiotic activity in vivo upon cleaving,

wherein M is independently OR₁ or NR₁R₂;

wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, an optionally-substituted hydrocarbyl residue or a pharmaceutically acceptable cation.

In some embodiments, the compound is in a pharmaceutical composition or a dosage form, wherein the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form provides an effective antibiotic-treating or -preventing amount of the compound.

In some embodiments, the oxazolidinone-containing moiety, Z, has the structure

wherein * is the point of attachment of Z to P;

wherein R¹a and R¹b are independently selected from H and F, provided that at least one of R¹a and R¹b is F, and

Het is an optionally-substituted five- or six-membered heterocycle comprising at least one N, O, or S atom, such as tetrazolyl or oxadiazolyl.

In some aspects, R¹a is F and R¹b is H and Het is 2-methyl-tetrazol-5-yl. For example, in some embodiments Z is

In some aspects, the active metabolite results after in vivo cleaving of the Z moiety from the compounds described herein. For example, an active metabolite may have the following formula:

In some embodiments, the active drug of Formula I is (5R)-3-[3-fluoro-4-[6-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyridinyl]phenyl]-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-oxazolidinone, i.e.,

These active compounds have been disclosed in WO 05/058886 and US Patent Publication No. 20070155798, while processes for making these and related compounds have been disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/577,089 (filed Oct. 9, 2009), and a crystalline form of the phosphate ester and related salts of the above compound has been disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/699,864 (filed Feb. 3, 2010). The latter two applications are assigned to the same assignee as in the present application. Each of the references cited herein is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Compounds of Formula IV may occur as an impurity, along with other impurities, during the phosphorylation of the active metabolite of an oxazolidinone-containing antibiotic (e.g., Formula I). Therefore, these “impurities” have not been contemplated for use as pharmaceutical drugs. As an illustration, phosphorylation of Formula I forms the phosphate dihydrogen monoester prodrug of Formula II

wherein M is described herein, such as a compound with the following formula

Likewise, in a similar illustration, phosphorylation of the compound of Formula Ia (TR-700) forms the phosphate dihydrogen monoester of Formula IIa, [(5R)-3-{3-fluoro-4-[6-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl]phenyl}-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]phosphate,

In addition, salts of Formula II such as the disodium salts of Formula IIa may also be formed such as Formula IIb below:

Examples of impurities that may result during such phosphorylation of an active metabolite of an oxazolidinone-containing antibiotic include compounds of Formula III (“bis” compounds),

such as the phosphate monohydrogen diester (when M=OH), wherein Z is

and wherein * is the point of attachment of Z to P.

The side products may also include Formula IV

wherein n is a non-negative integer such as 0, 1, or 2. In some embodiments, n is 0 and has the following formula:

wherein Z is as defined above, such as, the diphosphate dihydrogen diester of Formula I (when M=OH).

In some embodiments, Formula IV is an acid or an acid derivative, such as a salt, ester, or amide. In some embodiments, M is independently OR₁ or NR₁R₂; wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, optionally-substituted hydrocarbyl residue that may contain one or more heteroatoms, a pharmaceutically-acceptable cation, and a positively charged nitrogen-containing ion. In some embodiments, the presence of M may not substantially destroy the antibiotic activity of the active metabolite of the compound of Formula IV. In some embodiments, however, the presence of M may alter the degree of antibiotic activity.

In some embodiments, an optional substituent on the hydrocarbyl residue mentioned above, likewise may not substantially destroy antibiotic activity of the active metabolite of the compound of Formula IV. In some embodiments, the substituent may alter the degree of antibiotic activity, however. Antibiotic activity may be measured by various methods known in the art, such as the mouse septicemia model as described in Example 5.

As used herein, “hydrocarbyl residue” refers to a residue which contains only carbon and hydrogen. The residue may be aliphatic or aromatic, straight-chain, cyclic, branched, saturated or unsaturated. The hydrocarbyl residue, when indicated, may contain heteroatoms over and above the carbon and hydrogen members of the substituent residue. Thus, when specifically noted as containing such heteroatoms, the hydrocarbyl residue may also contain carbonyl groups, amino groups, hydroxyl groups and the like, or contain heteroatoms within the “backbone” of the hydrocarbyl residue. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbyl residue has 1-20C containing 0-5 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N.

As used herein, the term “alkyl,” “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” include straight- and branched-chain and cyclic monovalent substituents. Examples include methyl, ethyl, isobutyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentylethyl, 2-propenyl, 3-butynyl, and the like. Typically, the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl substituents contain 1-10C (alkyl) or 2-10C (alkenyl or alkynyl), such as 1-6C (alkyl), 2-6C (alkenyl or alkynyl) or 3-6C cycloalkyl. Heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl and heteroalkynyl are similarly defined but may contain 1-2 O, S or N heteroatoms or combinations thereof within the backbone residue.

As used herein, “acyl” encompasses the definitions of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and the related hetero-forms which are coupled to an additional residue through a carbonyl group.

“Aromatic” moiety refers to a monocyclic or fused bicyclic moiety such as phenyl or naphthyl; “heteroaromatic” also refers to monocyclic or fused bicyclic ring systems containing one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N. The inclusion of a heteroatom permits inclusion of 5-membered rings as well as 6-membered rings. Thus, typical aromatic systems include pyridyl, pyrimidyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzotriazolyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzofuranyl, thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxadiazolyl and the like. Any monocyclic or fused ring bicyclic system which has the characteristics of aromaticity in terms of electron distribution throughout the ring system is included in this definition. Typically, the ring systems contain 5-12 ring member atoms.

Similarly, “arylalkyl” and “heteroarylalkyl” refer to aromatic and heteroaromatic systems which are coupled to another residue through a carbon chain, including substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, carbon chains, typically of 1-6C. These carbon chains may also include a carbonyl group, thus making them able to provide substituents as an acyl moiety.

Optional substituents may be selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, N-aryl, NH-aroyl, halo, OR, NR₂, SR, —OOCR, —NROCR, RCO, —COOR, —CONR₂, SO₂NR₂, CN, CF₃, and NO₂, wherein each R is independently H or alkyl (1-4C).

In some embodiments where M=OR₁, R₁ may be a H or a metal cation such as an alkali metal cation or an alkaline earth metal cation. In some embodiments, the metal cation is sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, or lithium cation.

In some embodiments where M=OR₁, R₁ may be a positively charged nitrogen-containing group that forms a salt with the negatively charged oxygen of Formula IV, such as ammonium and the quaternized or positively charged salts of imidazole, N-methylglucamine, choline, piperazine, tromethamine, diethylamine, 4-phenylcyclohexylamine, or benzathine. In this context “quaternized” refers to a nitrogen atom having four bonds and therefore having a net positive charge, such as nitrogen with four pendant groups or bonds, such as one with a double bond. In some embodiments, pendant groups may include one or more hydrogens. In some embodiments, M is O-imidazolium salt, that is,

Pharmaceutically-acceptable cations, the identities of which are well-known in the art, have been compiled in P. Heinrich Stahl and Camille G. Wermuth, Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection and Use. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Wiley-VCH 2002, and L. D. Bighley, S. M. Berge, D. C. Monkhouse, in “Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology’. Eds. J. Swarbrick and J. C. Boylan, Vol. 13, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, Basel, Hong Kong 1995, pp. 453-499.

In some aspects, the compound is not the dimer disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/577,089 (filed Oct. 9, 2009) having the following structure or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the dimer

wherein R¹a and R¹b are independently selected from H and F, provided that at least one of R¹a and R¹b is F,

Het is an optionally-substituted five- or six-membered heterocycle comprising at least one N, O, or S atom, such as tetrazolyl or oxadiazolyl.

In some aspects, the compound is not the dimer disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/699,864 (filed Feb. 3, 2010), i.e.,

Compounds of Formula IV can be prepared by a variety of methods, including phosphorylation of an active metabolite of an oxazolidinone-containing antibiotic, such as the compound of Formula I. When the phosphorylation reaction is conducted with two or more equivalents of the active metabolite such as the Formula I compound, formation of the bis-esters such as Formula III is favored. However, in some embodiments, the bis-esters are ineffective antibiotic agents, thus showing that not all phosphate-containing compounds are effective. Therefore, in some embodiments, less than two equivalents of the active metabolite such as Formula I compound are used. Phosphorylation methods typically involve use of an electrophilic phosphorus (V) compound, such as phosphorus oxychloride, POCl₃, or a phosphate in the presence of a dehydrating agents, such as a carbodiimide, but other methods can be used. For example, the compounds of Formula IV can be prepared by transesterification of a phosphate-containing ester such as a diphosphate ester with an active metabolite such as the compound of Formula I. Such transesterification reactions are well-known. Similarly, compounds of Formula IV can be prepared in high yield from oxazolidinone-containing phosphates, such as a monophosphate of Formula II by treatment with a dehydrating agent such as carbonyldiimidazole (CDI).

In some embodiments, compounds of Formula IV have utility as water soluble prodrugs of antibacterial agents of oxazolidinone-containing antibiotics, such as Formula I. In some embodiments, Formula IV phosphate dimers have a longer half life in vivo than the oxazolidinone-containing phosphates, such as the monophosphate of Formula II. Consequently, in some embodiments compounds of Formula IV release the active metabolite (e.g., Formula I) over a longer period, which extends the in vivo half-life of the antibacterial agent. Longer biological half-life increases the time the active compound remains above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and thereby promotes efficacy at a lower drug dose. Longer half-life also reduces the maximum concentration, C_(max), of some embodiments of the antibacterial drug, thereby reducing side-effects in which C_(max) is the pharmacodynamic driver.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of prodrugs, salts, hydrates, solvates, and polymorphs can be produced from the compounds disclosed here, and that various isotopically-substituted variants (through, e.g., substitution of deuterium for hydrogen, ¹³C for carbon, ¹⁵N for nitrogen, or ³²P for phosphorus) can also be readily produced. All such derivatives are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more physiologically acceptable surface active agents, additional carriers, diluents, excipients, smoothing agents, suspension agents, film forming substances, and coating assistants, or a combination thereof; and a composition disclosed herein. Acceptable additional carriers or diluents for therapeutic use are well known in the pharmaceutical art, and are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1990), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preservatives, stabilizers, dyes, sweeteners, fragrances, flavoring agents, and the like may be provided in the pharmaceutical composition. For example, sodium benzoate, ascorbic acid and esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid may be added as preservatives. In addition, antioxidants and suspending agents may be used. In various embodiments, alcohols, esters, sulfated aliphatic alcohols, and the like may be used as surface active agents; sucrose, glucose, lactose, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, crystallized cellulose, mannitol, light anhydrous silicate, magnesium aluminate, magnesium metasilicate aluminate, synthetic aluminum silicate, calcium carbonate, sodium acid carbonate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like may be used as excipients; magnesium stearate, talc, hardened oil and the like may be used as smoothing agents; coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, peanut oil, soya may be used as suspension agents or lubricants; cellulose acetate phthalate as a derivative of a carbohydrate such as cellulose or sugar, or methylacetate-methacrylate copolymer as a derivative of polyvinyl may be used as suspension agents; and plasticizers such as ester phthalates and the like may be used as suspension agents.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a mixture of a compound disclosed herein with other chemical components, such as diluents or additional carriers. The pharmaceutical composition facilitates administration of the compound to an organism. Multiple techniques of administering a pharmaceutical composition exist in the art including, but not limited to, oral, injection, aerosol, parenteral, and topical administration. Pharmaceutical compositions can also be obtained by reacting the free acid dihydrogen phosphate with inorganic or organic bases such as sodium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide. In some embodiments, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds disclosed herein (e.g., as made in situ during the manufacture of an intravenous formulation) are provided.

The term “carrier” refers to a chemical compound that facilitates the incorporation of a compound into cells or tissues.

The term “diluent” refers to chemical compounds diluted in water that will dissolve the composition of interest as well as stabilize the biologically active form of the compound. Salts dissolved in buffered solutions are utilized as diluents in the art. One commonly used buffered solution is phosphate buffered saline because it mimics the salt conditions of human blood. Since buffer salts can control the pH of a solution at low concentrations, a buffered diluent rarely modifies the biological activity of a compound. As used herein, an “excipient” refers to an inert substance that is added to a composition to provide, without limitation, bulk, consistency, stability, binding ability, lubrication, disintegrating ability, etc., to the composition. A “diluent” is a type of excipient.

The term “physiologically acceptable” refers to a carrier or diluent that does not abrogate the biological activity and properties of the compound.

The pharmaceutical compounds described herein can be administered to a human patient per se, or in pharmaceutical compositions where they are mixed with other active ingredients, as in combination therapy, or suitable carriers or excipient(s). In some embodiments, a dosage form includes those forms in which the compound is administered per se. In addition, a dosage form may include a pharmaceutical composition. In any case, the dosage form may comprise a sufficient amount of the dimer compound to treat a bacterial infection as part of a particular administration protocol, as would be understood by those of skill in the art. Techniques for formulation and administration of the compounds of the instant application may be found in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 18th edition, 1990.

Suitable routes of administration may, for example, include oral, rectal, transmucosal, topical, or intestinal administration; parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramedullary injections, as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections. The compound can also be administered in sustained or controlled release dosage forms, including depot injections, osmotic pumps, pills, transdermal (including electrotransport) patches, and the like, for prolonged and/or timed, pulsed administration at a predetermined rate.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or tabletting processes.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in any conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen. Any of the well-known techniques, diluents, carriers, and excipients may be used as suitable and as understood in the art; e.g., in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, above.

Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions. Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, mannitol, lactose, lecithin, albumin, sodium glutamate, cysteine hydrochloride, and the like. In addition, if desired, the injectable pharmaceutical compositions may contain minor amounts of nontoxic auxiliary substances, such as wetting agents, pH buffering agents, and the like. Physiologically compatible buffers include, but are not limited to, Hanks's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. If desired, absorption enhancing preparations may be utilized.

For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated may be used in the formulation.

Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion, include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents that increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

For oral administration, the composition can be formulated readily by combining the compositions of interest with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers, which may be used in addition to the cationic polymeric carrier, enable the compositions of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated. Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combining the active compound with solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), e.g., Povidone. If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (e.g. Crospovidone), agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate. Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose, concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterize different combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added. All formulations for oral administration should be in dosages suitable for such administration.

For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in a conventional manner.

For administration by inhalation, the composition can be conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, e.g., gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

Further disclosed herein are various pharmaceutical compositions well known in the pharmaceutical art for uses that include intraocular, intranasal, and intraauricular delivery. Suitable penetrants for these uses are generally known in the art. Such suitable pharmaceutical formulations are most often and preferably formulated to be sterile, isotonic and buffered for stability and comfort. Pharmaceutical compositions for intranasal delivery may also include drops and sprays often prepared to simulate in many respects nasal secretions to ensure maintenance of normal ciliary action. As disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1990), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and well-known to those skilled in the art, suitable formulations are most often and preferably isotonic, slightly buffered to maintain a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, and most often and preferably include antimicrobial preservatives and appropriate drug stabilizers. Pharmaceutical formulations for intraauricular delivery include suspensions and ointments for topical application in the ear. Common solvents for such aural formulations include glycerin and water.

The compositions may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described previously, the compositions may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

For hydrophobic compounds, a suitable pharmaceutical carrier may be a cosolvent system comprising benzyl alcohol, a nonpolar surfactant, a water-miscible organic polymer, and an aqueous phase. A common cosolvent system used is the VPD co-solvent system, which is a solution of 3% w/v benzyl alcohol, 8% w/v of the nonpolar surfactant Polysorbate 80™, and 65% w/v polyethylene glycol 300, made up to volume in absolute ethanol. Naturally, the proportions of a co-solvent system may be varied considerably without destroying its solubility and toxicity characteristics. Furthermore, the identity of the co-solvent components may be varied: for example, other low-toxicity nonpolar surfactants may be used instead of POLYSORBATE 80™; the fraction size of polyethylene glycol may be varied; other biocompatible polymers may replace polyethylene glycol, e.g., polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and other sugars or polysaccharides may substitute for dextrose.

Methods for treating bacterial infections may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic compounds as described herein. Treating a bacterial infection may also include prophylactically administering the therapeutic compounds to prevent infection or the spread of an infection in a subject at imminent risk of infection, such as a subject receiving or about to undergo surgery, an immunocompromised subject, or subject otherwise at risk of an infection if the compound was not administered. The compounds show inhibitory activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria, against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) and have excellent relative antibiotic activity with a relatively low concentration thereof or in vivo. Further, the compounds of the present invention may exert potent antibacterial activity versus various human and animal pathogens, including Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococci, Enterococci and Streptococci, anaerobic microorganisms such as Bacteroides and Clostridia, and acid-resistant microorganisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium. In an embodiment, the bacterial infection that may be treated or ameliorated is MRSA.

The compositions or pharmaceutical compositions described herein may be administered to the subject by any suitable means. Non-limiting examples of methods of administration include, among others, (a) administration though oral pathways, which administration includes administration in capsule, tablet, granule, spray, syrup, or other such forms; (b) administration through non-oral pathways such as rectal, vaginal, intraurethral, intraocular, intranasal, or intraauricular, which administration includes administration as an aqueous suspension, an oily preparation or the like or as a drip, spray, suppository, salve, ointment or the like; (c) administration via injection, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intravenously, intramuscularly, intradermally, intraorbitally, intracapsularly, intraspinally, intrasternally, or the like, including infusion pump delivery; as well as (d) administration topically; as deemed appropriate by those of skill in the art for bringing the active compound into contact with living tissue.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration include compositions where the active ingredients are contained in an amount effective to achieve its intended purpose. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound is an amount effective to treat a bacterial infection, for example, in a mammalian subject (e.g., a human). The therapeutically effective amount of the compounds disclosed herein required as a dose will depend on the route of administration, the type of animal, including human, being treated, and the physical characteristics of the specific animal under consideration. The dose can be tailored to achieve a desired effect, but will depend on such factors as weight, diet, concurrent medication and other factors which those skilled in the medical arts will recognize. More specifically, a therapeutically effective amount means an amount of compound effective to prevent, alleviate or ameliorate symptoms of disease or prolong the survival of the subject being treated. Determination of a therapeutically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, especially in light of the detailed disclosure provided herein.

As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the useful in vivo dosage to be administered and the particular mode of administration will vary depending upon the age, weight and mammalian species treated, the particular compounds employed, and the specific use for which these compounds are employed. The determination of effective dosage levels, that is the dosage levels necessary to achieve the desired result, can be accomplished by one skilled in the art using routine pharmacological methods. Typically, human clinical applications of products are commenced at lower dosage levels, with dosage level being increased until the desired effect is achieved. Alternatively, acceptable in vitro studies can be used to establish useful doses and routes of administration of the compositions identified by the present methods using established pharmacological methods.

In non-human animal studies, applications of potential products are commenced at higher dosage levels, with dosage being decreased until the desired effect is no longer achieved adverse side effects disappear. The dosage may range broadly, depending upon the desired effects and the therapeutic indication. Typically, dosages may be about 10 microgram/kg to about 100 mg/kg body weight, preferably about 100 microgram/kg to about 10 mg/kg body weight. Alternatively dosages may be based and calculated upon the surface area of the patient, as understood by those of skill in the art.

The exact formulation, route of administration and dosage for the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be chosen by the individual physician in view of the patient's condition. (See e.g., Fingl et al. 1975, in “The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, with particular reference to Ch. 1, p. 1). In some embodiments, the dose range of the composition administered to the patient can be from about 0.5 to about 1000 mg/kg of the patient's body weight. The dosage may be a single one or a series of two or more given in the course of one or more days, as is needed by the patient. In instances where human dosages for compounds have been established for at least some condition, the present invention will use those same dosages, or dosages that are about 0.1% to about 500%, more preferably about 25% to about 250% of the established human dosage. Where no human dosage is established, as will be the case for newly-discovered pharmaceutical compositions, a suitable human dosage can be inferred from ED₅₀ or ID₅₀ values, or other appropriate values derived from in vitro or in vivo studies, as qualified by toxicity studies and efficacy studies in animals.

It should be noted that the attending physician would know how to and when to terminate, interrupt, or adjust administration due to toxicity or organ dysfunctions. Conversely, the attending physician would also know to adjust treatment to higher levels if the clinical response were not adequate (precluding toxicity). The magnitude of an administrated dose in the management of the disorder of interest will vary with the severity of the condition to be treated and to the route of administration. The severity of the condition may, for example, be evaluated, in part, by standard prognostic evaluation methods. Further, the dose and perhaps dose frequency will also vary according to the age, body weight, and response of the individual patient. A program comparable to that discussed above may be used in veterinary medicine.

Although the exact dosage will be determined on a drug-by-drug basis, in most cases, some generalizations regarding the dosage can be made. The daily dosage regimen for an adult human patient may be, for example, an oral dose of about 0.1 mg to 2000 mg of the active ingredient, preferably about 1 mg to about 500 mg, e.g. 5 to 200 mg. In other embodiments, an intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular dose of the active ingredient of about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg, preferably about 0.1 mg to about 60 mg, e.g. about 1 to about 40 mg is used. In cases of administration of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, dosages may be calculated as the free acid. In some embodiments, the composition is administered 1 to 4 times per day. Alternatively the compositions of the invention may be administered by continuous intravenous infusion, preferably at a dose of up to about 1000 mg per day. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, in certain situations it may be necessary to administer the compounds disclosed herein in amounts that exceed, or even far exceed, the above-stated, preferred dosage range in order to effectively and aggressively treat particularly aggressive diseases or infections. In some embodiments, the compounds will be administered for a period of continuous therapy, for example for a week or more, or for months or years.

Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provide plasma levels of the active moiety which are sufficient to maintain the antibiotic effects, or minimal effective concentration (MEC). The MEC will vary for each compound but can be estimated from in vitro data. Dosages necessary to achieve the MEC will depend on individual characteristics and route of administration. However, HPLC assays or bioassays can be used to determine plasma concentrations.

Dosage intervals can also be determined using MEC value. Compositions should be administered using a regimen which maintains plasma levels above the MEC for 10-90% of the time, preferably between 30-90% and most preferably between 50-90%.

In cases of local administration or selective uptake, the effective local concentration of the drug may not be related to plasma concentration.

The amount of composition administered may be dependent on the subject being treated, on the subject's weight, the severity of the infection, the manner of administration and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

Compositions disclosed herein can be evaluated for efficacy and toxicity using known methods. For example, the toxicology of the compound may be established by determining in vitro toxicity towards a cell line, such as a mammalian, and preferably human, cell line. The results of such studies are often predictive of toxicity in animals, such as mammals, or more specifically, humans. Alternatively, the toxicity of particular compounds in an animal model, such as mice, rats, rabbits, or monkeys, may be determined using known methods. The efficacy of a particular compound may be established using several recognized methods, such as in vitro methods, animal models, or human clinical trials. Recognized in vitro models exist for nearly every class of condition. Similarly, acceptable animal models may be used to establish efficacy of chemicals to treat such conditions. When selecting a model to determine efficacy, the skilled artisan can be guided by the state of the art to choose an appropriate model, dose, and route of administration, and regime. Of course, human clinical trials can also be used to determine the efficacy of a compound in humans.

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The pack may for example comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for administration. The pack or dispenser may also be accompanied with a notice associated with the container in form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use, or sale of pharmaceuticals, which notice is reflective of approval by the agency of the form of the drug for human or veterinary administration. Such notice, for example, may be the labeling approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prescription drugs, or the approved product insert. Compositions comprising a compound of the invention formulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier may also be prepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition.

In some embodiments, in the pharmaceutical industry, it standard practice to provide substantially pure material when formulating pharmaceutical compositions. Therefore, in some embodiments, “substantially pure” refers to the amount of purity required for formulating pharmaceuticals, which may include, for example, a small amount of amorphous material or other material, wherein the material may still achieve sufficient pourability, lack of hygroscopicity, and purity suitable for pharmaceutical use. In some embodiments, the substantially pure compound contains at least about 96% of the compound by weight, such as at least about 96.1%, 96.2%, 96.3%, 96.4%, 96.5%, 96.6%, 96.7%, 96.8%, 96.9%, 97%, 97.1%, 97.2%, 97.3%, 97.4%, 97.5%, 97.6%, 97.7%, 97.8%, 97.9%, 98%, 98.1%, 98.2%, 98.3%, 98.4%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9%, or 100% of the compound.

The terms “approximately, “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of the Phosphate Monohydrogen Diester, Formula III

In this and the following Examples, “Formula III” refers to a compound wherein Z is

and M=OH.

A 1-L, three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, nitrogen inlet/outlet and thermocouple was charged with the compound of Formula Ia below (16.0 g, 0.0499 mol], THF (320 mL, 20 vol) and Et₃N (21.9 g, 0.216 mol, 5.0 equiv.).

POCl₃ (3.31 g, 0.0216 mol, 0.5 equiv.) was added dropwise via syringe over 5 minutes. The reaction temperature was maintained below 25° C. The batch was aged for 16 hours at room temperature at which point HPLC analysis (XBridge, C18) indicated that the reaction was complete. The reaction vessel was then immersed in an ice-water bath and a 500-mL addition funnel charged with 320 mL of H₂O was attached to the reaction vessel. When the temperature of the reaction reached 2.7° C., H₂O was added drop wise over 30 minutes. The temperature of the reaction was maintained below 10° C. Upon completion of the H₂O addition, the ice-water bath was removed and the batch was aged for 3 hours. The solution was transferred to a 2-L round-bottom flask and concentrated under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator. After removal of most of the THF from the solution, the aqueous mixture was extracted with 5 1-L portions of CH₂Cl₂:MeOH (9:1). The CH₂Cl₂ layers were combined and concentrated to a dark oil. This crude material was purified on 200 g of silica gel, eluting with 10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ to 20% 2 N NH₃ in MeOH/CH₂Cl₂. Fractions containing mostly the bis-ester (as judged by TLC Rf=0.3 eluting with 20% 2 N NH₃ in MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator, during which time a white precipitate was observed. The flask containing the slurry was removed from the rotary evaporator and equipped with a magnetic stir bar and allowed to stir while cooling to room temperature over 3 hours, during which time the slurry thickened. The solid was filtered and dried in a vacuum oven at 45° C. for 16 hours to give 3.55 g of bis-ester as an off-white solid (20% yield). HPLC analysis (Method A): 99.0% (AUC), tR=16.3 min. This reaction was repeated and the combined lots of the compound of Formula III (6.7 g) were slurried in 100 mL of MeOH (15 vol). The slurry was heated to 40° C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature over 1 hour. The off-white solid was filtered and dried in a vacuum oven at 40° C. for 16 hours to give 6.15 g of the compound of Formula III (92% yield). The ¹H NMR analysis of the product was consistent with the assigned structure. HPLC analysis (Method A): 99.0% (AUC), tR=16.3 min.

Example 2 Preparation of the Diphosphate Dihydrogen Diester, Formula IV

In Examples 2-5, “Formula IV” refers to a compound wherein Z is

n=0 and M=O-imidazolium salt.

A 250-mL 3-neck round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, nitrogen inlet/outlet and thermocouple was charged with the compound of Formula IIa below (5.0 g, 11.1 mmol), carbonyldiimidazole (890 mg, 5.55 mmol, 0.5 equiv.) and DMF (100 mL, 20 vol).

The suspension was heated to 50° C. and held at that temperature for 4 hours at which point HPLC analysis (XBridge, C18) indicated that the reaction was complete. The reaction was filtered at 50° C. and dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. for 24 hours to give 5.15 g of the imidazolium salt (i.e., the compound of Formula IV) as an off-white solid (98% yield). The ¹H NMR analysis of the product was consistent with the assigned structure. HPLC analysis (Method A): 94.5% (AUC), tR=14.6 min.

TABLE 1 Method A (Waters XBridge C18 Column) Time (min) Flow (mL/min) % A % B 0.0 1.0 98.0 2.0 15.0 1.0 5.0 95.0 25.0 1.0 5.0 95.0 27.0 1.0 98.0 2.0 30.0 1.0 98.0 2.0 A = 87% 25 mM ammonium bicarbonate solution in water/13% Acetonitrile B = Acetonitrile Wavelength = 300 nm

Example 3 Pharmacokinetic Determinations

Balb/c female mice, 6-7 weeks old (˜20 g) were randomized into treatment groups of three animals. Pharmacokinetics of each of the test compounds was evaluated. The test compounds (10 mg/kg) were administered via tail vein or orally to study mice. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture at 5 (intravenously-administered compounds only), 15, 30 minutes and 1, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours (n=3 at each timepoint). Plasma concentration of each of the compounds of Formula Ia, III (as defined in Example 1), and IV (as defined in Example 2) was analyzed through use of a validated HPLC/UV method. Data are plotted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

TABLE 2 Summary of pharmacokinetic data for both the prodrug and active component when the prodrugs of Formula IV (as defined in Example 2) and Formula III (as defined in Example 1) are dosed in mice. Compd. τ_(1/2) T_(max) C_(max) AUC_(0-24 h) Vz_(obs) CL_(obs) Compound Dosed Measured Rsq (h) (h) (μg/ml) (μg hr/ml) (L/kg) (L/hr/kg) intravenous Formula IV Formula 1.00 0.77 0.08 4.30 7.00 1.53 1.39 10 mg/kg IV intravenous Formula IV Formula 0.97 3.74 4.00 4.06 36.40 1.46 0.27 10 mg/kg Ia Oral Formula 0.99 3.89 6.00 1.70 18.3 3.01 0.54 Formula IV 10 mg/kg Ia intravenous Formula III Formula 0.93 3.05 0.08 5.79 1.14 33.43 7.61 10 mg/kg III intravenous Formula III Formula 0.58 12.04 4.00 0.17 1.16 48.65 2.80 10 mg/kg Ia

TABLE 3 Pharmacokinetic data for both the prodrug parent Formula IV (as defined in Example 2) and the active antibacterial agent Formula Ia when prodrug Formula IV is given either orally or intravenously at 10 mg/kg (all concentrations in ng/ml). Oral route Oral route Time Formula Ia Formula IV Intravenous route Intravenous route (hr) conc. conc. Formula Ia conc. Formula IV conc. 0.08 ND ND 984.41 4300 0.25 381.22 ND 1439.02 1515 0.5 821.29 ND 1588.67 3450 1 1053.56 ND 2692.21 2661 4 1520.58 ND 4059.94 157 6 1697.18 ND 2341.86 ND 8 1029.09 ND 896.47 ND 12 667.74 ND 1385.48 ND 24 65.26 ND 84.06 ND ND: Not Detected because amount of compound is below limits of detection

TABLE 4 Pharmacokinetic data for both the prodrug parent Formula III (as defined in Example 1) and the active antibacterial agent Formula Ia when prodrug Formula III (as defined in Example 1) is given intravenously at 10 mg/kg (all concentrations in ng/ml). Intravenous route Intravenous route Time (hr) Formula III conc. Formula Ia conc. 0.08 5794.47 124.18 0.25 749.02 78.46 0.5 210.06 90.85 1 81.05 123.76 2 53.78 167.77 4 39.49 174.61 6 ND 131.45 8 ND 138.71 ND: Not Detected because amount of compound is below limits of detection

Example 4 Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Determinations

Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth microdilution according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) approved methods (M7-A7) and interpreted using Alamar Blue to visualize cell viability. Dilutions of each of the compounds of the compounds were tested against S. aureus Smith strain or S. aureus plus 20% mouse serum.

TABLE 5 MIC results (in μg/ml) S. aureus Smith + S. aureus Smith 20% mouse serum Formula IIb >64 4 (TR-701) Formula III >64 >64 (as defined in Example 1) Formula IV >64 32 (as defined in Example 2)

Example 5 Efficacy Testing Mouse Septicemia Model

Balb/c female mice, 6-7 weeks old (˜20 g) were randomized into treatment groups of 10 animals. Staphylococcus aureus Smith strain ATCC#13709 was cultured overnight in BHI medium at 37° C. Cells were back-diluted 1:10 and allowed to grow for 5 hours. The inoculum used for infecting mice was prepared by diluting the culture in 5% Hog Gastric Mucin/PBS to a concentration of 1×10⁶ cfu/ml. 100 μl of culture/mucin was reserved to quantify the starting cfu/ml by serial diluting and plating the culture. Mice were infected with 500 μl of the inoculum just prior to drug dosing. The drugs were dosed within 15 minutes of infection.

Mice received intravenous doses of each of the test compounds at the concentrations described in Tables 6 and 7, based on calculated average weight of all the mice (˜20 g). Forty-eight hours post-infection, the number of surviving mice was determined.

TABLE 6 Survival of Balb/c Mice, female, intravenous administration, 200 μL dosage of Formual III (as defined in Example 1), 10 mice were treated in each group. Concentration Concentration 48 hr Group ZTreatment mg/kg mg/m² survival 1 Formula III 10 0.2 1/10 2 Formula III 5 0.1 1/10 3 Formula III 2.5 0.05 0/10 4 Formula III 1.25 0.025 1/10 5 infection — 1/10 control

The data in Table 6 indicate that Formula III is ineffective as an antibiotic because the survival rates are similar to the infection control, thus showing that not all phosphate-containing compounds are effective.

TABLE 7 Survival of Balb/c Mice, female, intravenous administration of Formula IV (as defined in Example 2), 200 μL dosage, 10 mice were treated in each group. Concentra- Concentration 24 hr 48 hr Group Treatment tion mg/kg mg/m² survival survival 1 Formula IV 10 0.2 10/10  10/10  2 Formula IV 5 0.1 10/10  10/10  3 Formula IV 2.5 0.05 8/10 7/10 4 Formula IV 1.25 0.025 5/10 2/10 5 infection — 2/10 1/10 control

The data in Table 7 show 100% (i.e., 10/10) survival rate after 24 and 48 hour intervals at dosages of 10 and 5 mg/kg. Without being bound by theory, it appears that the presence of an additional phosphate in Formula IV increases the space between the Z moieties in comparison to Formula III allowing a phosphatase to cleave the phosphate more readily. Thus, it is expected that the presence of additional phosphate groups between Z moieties would act similarly as the diphosphate.

TABLE 8 Comparison of Survival of Balb/c Mice, female, intravenous administration of Formula IV (as defined in Example 2) and the disodium phosphate salt of Formula Ia (TR-701), 200 μL dosage, 10 mice were treated in each group. % Survival- Concentration 10 mice per group infection mg/kg 20 10 5 2.5 1.25 control 24 hr TR701 100 100 90 60 60 24 hr dimer 100 100 80 50 0 treatment 20 48 hr TR701 100 100 90 40 50 48 hr dimer 100 100 70 20 0 treatment 48 10

The same procedure was used as in Example 5's Efficacy Testing description. The data in Table 8 show that survival rates were surprisingly increased by the intravenous administration of Formula IV (as defined in Example 2) in comparison to TR-701 (the disodium phosphate salt of Formula Ia) at dosages of 5 and 2.5 mg/kg as shown in Table 8. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dosage form or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of compound having the structure of Formula IV:

wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; wherein each Z is an oxazolidinone-containing moiety having antibiotic activity in vivo upon cleaving, wherein M is independently OR₁ or NR₁R₂; wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, an optionally-substituted hydrocarbyl residue that may contain one or more heteroatoms or a pharmaceutically acceptable cation.
 2. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein each Z is

wherein * is the point of attachment of Z to P; wherein R¹a and R¹b are independently selected from H and F, provided that at least one of R¹a and R¹b is F, and Het is an optionally-substituted five- or six-membered heterocycle comprising at least one N, O, or S atom.
 3. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the compound has the structure

wherein M is OR₁ and R₁ is a pharmaceutically-acceptable cation.
 4. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 3 wherein R₁ is a nitrogen-containing cation.
 5. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 3 wherein R₁ is an imidazolium cation.
 6. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 3 wherein each Z is


7. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 6, wherein each Z is


8. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition is a pharmaceutical composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.
 9. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein each Z has R stereochemistry.
 10. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein each Z is


11. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, which is

or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. The dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein Het is tetrazolyl.
 13. A method of preparing the compound in the dosage form or pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, comprising the step of treating a compound of the formula Z—H with a phosphorylating agent.
 14. A method of preparing the compound in the dosage form or pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, comprising the step of treating with a dehydrating agent of the compound Z—P′, wherein P′ is a mono- or dihydrogen phosphate group.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the phosphorylating agent is POCl₃.
 16. A method of treating a bacterial infection comprising administering the dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 to a subject in need thereof.
 17. A method of treating a bacterial infection comprising administering the dosage form or the pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 to a subject in need thereof. 